Yttrium oxide (Y2O3), also known as Yttria, is a white air-stable solid substance that is used in a variety of applications, including the production of LEDs, phosphors, electrodes, electrolytes, electronic filters, lasers, superconductors, various medical applications, and as a trace substance added to various materials to enhance their properties. Yttrium can be used in small quantities to reduce the grain sizes of chromium, molybdenum, titanium, and zirconium. Yttrium is also used to increase the strength of aluminium and magnesium alloys.
Potential Applications
- Additives in paints and plastics for protecting UV degradation
- Additives in permanent magnets
- Additives in steel, iron, and non-ferrous alloys for
- Oxidation resistance and ductility (in Fe-Cr alloys)
- Conductivity (in Al-Zr alloys)
- Conductivity and strength (in Cu alloys)
- Coatings for high-temperature applications
- Display materials (with low-energy excitation sources)
- Dopants in SrZrO3
- Engine parts (eg, Si3N4/6%Y2O3/2%Al)
- Field-emission displays
- Flat-panel displays
- High-powder lasers for drilling, cutting and welding
- Infrared shielding coatings
- Photoelectric (solar-cells) sensors
- Plasma display panels
- Red emitting materials in fluorescent lamps
- Ultrafast sensors (for x-ray, γ-ray detection, and fast scintillator phosphor)